3A Boys Semi-Final: Garfield’s Standout Underclassmen
The Boys 3A Semifinals resulted in being a Metro League showdown. All four teams from the Metro League; Eastside Catholic, Garfield, Odea, and Rainier Beach battled it out again. Metro League is already known for producing some of the most…
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Continue ReadingThe Boys 3A Semifinals resulted in being a Metro League showdown. All four teams from the Metro League; Eastside Catholic, Garfield, Odea, and Rainier Beach battled it out again. Metro League is already known for producing some of the most talented basketball players, but noticeably this year there are a lot of underclassmen and specifically two stellar standouts from Garfield who were top contributors for their team.
Jaylin Stewart Jaylin Stewart 6'7" | SG Garfield | 2023 State #71 Nation WA , Garfield |6’5 SG/SF |Class of 2023– His bloodlines would already suggest that he was destined to be a great baller, with Dad being ex Rainier Beach & USC great Lodrick Stewart and his uncle ex UW & Pro basketball phenom Tre Simmons. After having a solid season, he remained consistent dropping 15pts against Marysville-Pilchuk on Thursday & 11pts over Eastside Catholic in semis. What stands out with Jaylin is his mobility and quickness at his height for his age, shows maturity and experience already and great court presence. He is one of the most versatile players for Garfield helping them inside for a strong put-back or to grab boards, or hitting the 3 fluidly or running the floor for the fast break and finishing with a bang out dunk. Stewart just has that “it” factor and basketball intelligence already and with still 3 more years of High School ball career as well as growth spurts, easily can presume he will be the top player in his class, if not the state. He already has an offer from Seattle’s own UW and foreseeing many more D1 offers rolling in the next year. He will for sure be the top recruit for his class and I speculate he will be an All-American by the time he is a Senior.
Koren Johnson Koren Johnson 6'3" | SG Wasatch Academy | 2022 #83 Nation WA , Garfield |6’2 PG |Class of 2022– Johnson is one of the best shooters in the state already as a Sophomore. In an earlier meeting against Eastside Catholic he hit 7 3’s for 34pts to help the Bulldogs secure the W. In the semi-finals they were faced with Eastside Catholic again and Koren again rose to the occasion with a game-high 22pts. He has great length plus athleticism with quickness, he can cross over and get to the rim with ease. He has one of the best quick release shots and can shoot the contested shot comfortably, which has proven to be deadly. Great use of his body positioning to get shots or to the rim, as well for him too more growth spurts in the next year will use to his advantage. Showing tremendous upside and by next year expecting him and Stewart to be leading the Bulldogs back to another state tournament.
You will be able to watch both Jaylin Stewart Jaylin Stewart 6'7" | SG Garfield | 2023 State #71 Nation WA , Koren Johnson Koren Johnson 6'3" | SG Wasatch Academy | 2022 #83 Nation WA and the Garfield Bulldogs take on the O’Dea Fighting Irish in the WIAA Hardwood Classic 3A Boys State Championship Game tomorrow March 7th, 7:00 pm at the Tacoma Dome